Football weather, meanwhile, is definitely in the air, even here in Manhattan. Should New England leaf peeping be on your agenda this fall, check out Yankee magazine’s live foliage map.

A couple of updates on stories regularly featured here: the federal Department of Transportation has released stimulus funds to Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut for rail improvements along the Connecticut River, and the fishing rule-making process is under review.

About this feature: Each week, I compile recent articles and other items relating to New England’s history, its regional identity, and its future. If you come across something interesting or relevant, please submit it for inclusion in a future post. Click here for previous roundups.